An Introduction by Kamala Das Questions and Answers
Very Short Answer Questions
Who is the poet of An Introduction?
Kamala Das.
In which poetry collection was An Introduction published?
Summer in Calcutta (1965).
What is the poem An Introduction about?
It explores identity, gender roles, language, and self-expression.
What does the poet say about politics in the poem?
She does not understand politics but knows the names of leaders.
Which Indian leader’s name is mentioned in the poem?
Jawaharlal Nehru.
How many languages does the poet speak, write, and dream in?
She speaks three, writes in two, and dreams in one.
Why was Kamala Das criticized for writing in English?
People said English was not her mother tongue.
How does Kamala Das defend her use of English?
She says language belongs to its speaker, even with distortions.
What does the poet compare her language to?
Cawing of crows and roaring of lions.
What symbolizes the poet’s rejection of gender norms?
Wearing her brother’s trousers and cutting her hair short.
What roles does society expect women to follow?
To be a wife, embroiderer, cook, and quarrel with servants.
What does “Be Amy, or be Kamala, or better still, be Madhavikutty” imply?
Society forces women into predefined identities.
How does the poet describe male and female desire?
Men have the “hungry haste of rivers,” women have “the oceans’ tireless waiting.”
What universal statement does the poet make at the end?
“I too call myself I,” signifying shared human experience.
What poetic form is used in An Introduction?
Free verse.
Which poetic device is used in “I am sinner, I am saint”?
Antithesis.
What does “sword in its sheath” symbolize?
Repressed masculinity or hidden desires.
What does the poet mean by “I who drink lonely drinks at twelve, midnight”?
She represents loneliness and alienation.
What emotions does the poet express in the poem?
Love, longing, defiance, rebellion, and self-discovery.
What is the main message of the poem?
Freedom of self-expression and rejection of societal restrictions.
Short Answer Questions
What is the significance of the title An Introduction?
The title suggests that the poem is a self-introduction by Kamala Das, where she asserts her identity, language, gender, and emotions.
It also introduces universal human experiences, making it more than just a personal confession.
Through her introduction, she challenges societal expectations and patriarchal norms.
Why does Kamala Das mention politics in the poem?
She states, “I don’t know politics but I know the names of those in power.”
This line highlights how political awareness is expected, yet superficial knowledge is common.
It symbolizes how people, especially women, are often excluded from decision-making while being impacted by it.
The mention of Jawaharlal Nehru also anchors the poem in India’s post-colonial political context.
How does Kamala Das defend her use of the English language?
She was criticized for writing in English, as it was not her mother tongue.
She argues that language belongs to its user, even with its distortions and queerness.
She compares it to crows cawing and lions roaring, emphasizing that language is a natural means of self-expression.
This defends her personal right to creativity and identity.
How does the poet describe her transition from childhood to womanhood?
She recalls that people told her she was growing up as her body changed.
The “weight of my breasts and womb crushed me” symbolizes the burden of societal expectations on women.
Her experience of love was disappointing and oppressive rather than fulfilling.
This shows how women are forced into roles they may not be ready for.
What is the poet’s attitude towards traditional gender roles?
She rejects societal expectations that confine women to roles like wife, cook, embroiderer, and housekeeper.
By cutting her hair and wearing her brother’s trousers, she attempts to redefine her identity.
However, she faces criticism and pressure to conform.
This reflects her struggle against patriarchal norms that restrict women’s freedom.
What does the poet mean by “Be Amy, or be Kamala. Or, better still, be Madhavikutty”?
Society expects her to fit into predefined labels rather than embracing her own identity.
Amy represents a Westernized name, Kamala represents her traditional Indian identity, and Madhavikutty is her Malayalam pen name.
By rejecting these labels, she asserts her right to self-definition beyond imposed identities.
Explain the significance of the metaphor “the hungry haste of rivers” and “the oceans’ tireless waiting.”
The poet compares male desire to rushing rivers—urgent and impatient.
In contrast, female longing is like the ocean—deep, patient, and endless.
This metaphor highlights the different ways in which men and women experience love and desire.
It also reflects traditional gender stereotypes about male pursuit and female waiting.
What does Kamala Das mean when she says, “It is I who drink lonely drinks at twelve, midnight, in hotels of strange towns”?
She expresses a sense of loneliness and alienation.
The midnight setting suggests a moment of introspection and solitude.
The image of hotels in strange towns symbolizes her displacement and lack of belonging.
This shows her struggle for self-acceptance and freedom in a restrictive society.
Why does the poet say, “I am sinner, I am saint. I am the beloved and the betrayed”?
She refuses to be categorized as purely good or bad.
She acknowledges both her strengths and weaknesses, embracing her complex humanity.
The contrast between sinner and saint, lover and betrayed shows how life is full of contradictions.
She asserts that these dualities exist in everyone, making her experiences universal.
What is the overall message of the poem An Introduction?
The poem conveys a strong message of self-identity and personal freedom.
Kamala Das challenges patriarchal norms that restrict women’s choices.
She defends her right to self-expression, love, and individuality.
The poem ultimately suggests that human emotions and struggles are universal, making identity a fluid and evolving concept.
